Jacqueline Crahalla
Encyclopedia
Jacqueline R. Crahalla is a former Republican
member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
.
She is a 1958 graduate of Collingswood High School
in Collingswood, New Jersey
. She worked in Merck Sharp & Dohme
and other corporations before retiring to "stay home and raise a family"
. During that time, she worked part-time as a columnist for a local newspaper. After 10 years, she returned to Merck and earned her degree in English and communications as a non-traditional student at Gwynedd Mercy College in 1993. She transferred to a new company, Astra Merck, which was a joint venture of between Merck and Astra
, where Crahalla worked to create the Corporate Contributions department. After several corporate mergers, she chose to retire rather than relocate to Wilmington, Delaware
. She served as township supervisor in Lower Providence Township, Pennsylvania
for five years.
In the 2002 election
, Crahalla challenged Republican-turned-Democrat incumbent John A. Lawless
in the newly re-drawn 150th legislative district
. The new configuration was intentionally drawn to handicap Lawless as punishment from Lawless' former caucus. In September 2002, Lawless profanely berated a Lower Providence Township police officer
, the That November, Crahalla defeated Lawless by razor thin 168 vote margin. Following the loss, Lawless destroyed many constituent-related documents, rather than surrender them to Crahalla.
In 2005, James T. Stewart, Crahalla's former chief of staff who was fired and indicted in Montgomery County
for stealing $15,000 in campaign money, filed an ethics complaint against his former boss, telling the state State Ethics Commission and Judicial Conduct Board that he was "routinely required to perform political and campaign-related work" in Crahalla's district office. The complaint also alleged that Crahalla's husband, a magistrate judge violated judicial conduct rules by handling her campaign donations.
In January 2006, Crahalla announced her retirement, effective following the 2006 election
, stating that her decision was to "spend more time with family" and that it had nothing to do with Stewart's accusations.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
.
She is a 1958 graduate of Collingswood High School
Collingswood High School
Collingswood High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades from Collingswood in Camden County, New Jersey, United States, as part of the Collingswood Public Schools....
in Collingswood, New Jersey
Collingswood, New Jersey
Collingswood is a borough in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 13,926....
. She worked in Merck Sharp & Dohme
Merck & Co.
Merck & Co., Inc. , also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme or MSD outside the United States and Canada, is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The Merck headquarters is located in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, an unincorporated area in Readington Township...
and other corporations before retiring to "stay home and raise a family"
Housewife
Housewife is a term used to describe a married woman with household responsibilities who is not employed outside the home. Merriam Webster describes a housewife as a married woman who is in charge of her household...
. During that time, she worked part-time as a columnist for a local newspaper. After 10 years, she returned to Merck and earned her degree in English and communications as a non-traditional student at Gwynedd Mercy College in 1993. She transferred to a new company, Astra Merck, which was a joint venture of between Merck and Astra
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca plc is a global pharmaceutical and biologics company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's seventh-largest pharmaceutical company measured by revenues and has operations in over 100 countries...
, where Crahalla worked to create the Corporate Contributions department. After several corporate mergers, she chose to retire rather than relocate to Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
. She served as township supervisor in Lower Providence Township, Pennsylvania
Lower Providence Township, Pennsylvania
Lower Providence Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States, about 17 miles west of Philadelphia. The population was 25,436 at the 2010 census.- History :...
for five years.
In the 2002 election
Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2002
Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were held on November 5, 2002, with all districts being contested. State Representatives are elected for two-year terms, with the entire House of Representatives up for a vote every two years. The term of office for those elected in 2002 ran...
, Crahalla challenged Republican-turned-Democrat incumbent John A. Lawless
John A. Lawless
John A. Lawless is a former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.-Education and early career:He is a 1975 graduate of Methacton High School. He earned a degree from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 1979 and has attended classes at Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science...
in the newly re-drawn 150th legislative district
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 150
The 150th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in Montgomery County and includes the following areas:* Collegeville* East Norriton Township ** District 01 [PART, Division 04]* Lower Providence Township ** District 01...
. The new configuration was intentionally drawn to handicap Lawless as punishment from Lawless' former caucus. In September 2002, Lawless profanely berated a Lower Providence Township police officer
Lower Providence Township, Pennsylvania
Lower Providence Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States, about 17 miles west of Philadelphia. The population was 25,436 at the 2010 census.- History :...
, the That November, Crahalla defeated Lawless by razor thin 168 vote margin. Following the loss, Lawless destroyed many constituent-related documents, rather than surrender them to Crahalla.
In 2005, James T. Stewart, Crahalla's former chief of staff who was fired and indicted in Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 799,874, making it the third most populous county in Pennsylvania . The county seat is Norristown.The county was created on September 10, 1784, out of land originally part...
for stealing $15,000 in campaign money, filed an ethics complaint against his former boss, telling the state State Ethics Commission and Judicial Conduct Board that he was "routinely required to perform political and campaign-related work" in Crahalla's district office. The complaint also alleged that Crahalla's husband, a magistrate judge violated judicial conduct rules by handling her campaign donations.
In January 2006, Crahalla announced her retirement, effective following the 2006 election
Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2006
The 2006 Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were held on November 7, 2006, with all districts being contested. Necessary primary elections were held on May 16, 2006. Members elected in 2006 were inaugurated on January 2, 2007...
, stating that her decision was to "spend more time with family" and that it had nothing to do with Stewart's accusations.
External links
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives - Jacqueline Crahalla official PA House profile (archived)
- Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus - Rep. Jacqueline Crahalla official website (archived)